Rio, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rio, Columbia County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rio?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 111 days in the Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County — the most common reported hazard around Rio, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and flooding (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 111 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $3.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Nov 2025 | Dec 1, 2007 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 45 | Apr 2026 | Jun 1, 2004 · $24 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 38 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jul 2024 | Jun 8, 2008 · $56 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Aug 2018 | Jun 26, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 2026 | Feb 1, 2011 · $10,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rio get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Rio, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Portage Wwtp weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.0 | 8.9 | 10.2 | 10.0 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rio?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 48 miles southeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Rio | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 48 mi southeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 92 mi northeast | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 101 mi west-northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Rio
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 126 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rio, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 18 miles southwest of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 266 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 3, 2004.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Rio's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Rio radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rio, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 48 miles southeast. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rio?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rio the lowest scan from KMKX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rio free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Rio, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pardeeville, WI radar 7 mi
- Poynette, WI radar 9 mi
- Fall River, WI radar 11 mi
- Portage, WI radar 13 mi
- Columbus, WI radar 13 mi
- Randolph, WI radar 13 mi
- Windsor, WI radar 14 mi
- DeForest, WI radar 16 mi
- Lodi, WI radar 18 mi
- Fox Lake, WI radar 18 mi